The Columbian. [volume] (Bloomsburg, Pa.) 1866-1910, 1887-09-02
Susquehanna Centennial
PREPARATIONS FOR A GRAND CELEBRi
TIoN BY THE PEoPLE OF THE COUNTY.

TIoN BY THE pEoPLE OF TuE COUNTY.
In the fall of 1887 the first settler in
tho territory which now comprises
Susquehanna county erected his rude
log house on a high bank overlooking
the picturesque Susquehanna river al
Hallstead, Pa, pretty and prosper
Gus town, which was formerly called
Great Bend Village. One hundred
years have rolled by andssn now the pros.
porous and intelligent people Of Sus.
quehanna county propose to celebrate
the centennial Of that event in a man.
ner worthy of the splendid county in
which they reside. On the first day
of July last George A. Post in the
Montrose Democrat, gave an interest
ing review of the history OF the county
and urged that the centennial should
be celebrated at Hallstead, where the
first log cabin was built.
The proposition was received with
universal favor and q convention was
called to meet at Montrose, which took
the preliminary steps towards making
tho affair one Of the most successful
and entertaining celebrations of the
kind ever held in the country. As
soon as the enterprising people Of Hall.
stead learned that the convention had
selected their town for the great event
they showed that the honor had been
worthily bestowed. Within a very
short time after the decision of the con.
vention was made known for the pur-
pose Of raising centennial fund, sub
scription books were circulated under
the direction of L. B. Crook and Mrs.
G. w. Capwell, and within two days
the name of every man, woman and
child within the limits of the borough
of Hallstead could be seen on the list.
This is the first instance in the history
of this country where such complete
subscription list has been made, and it
demonstrates beyond the peradyenture
of doubt that if the rest Of
Susquehanna county shows one-hslf as
much patriotism and public spirit 10
preparing for the centennial as Hall
stead already has done, it will be an
event long to be remembered.
More than this, although the cele-
bration will not take place until about
the middle Of October, the enterprising
inhabitants of Hallstead, through the
kindness Of Peter Osterhout farmer
residing not far from the borough,
secured an old moss grown log house,
almost the counterpart of the first
cabin erected in the county, and they
have placed it in the very spot where
the first home of the first county SET
tier, Strong, was built. A few steps
from the cabin Strong dug a well,
which, in after years, was neglected
and finally covered up. This we'll was
opened as soon as the centennial log
house was erected and to the surprise
of all was found in excellent condition.
A very quaint old well curb and long
sweep haye been constructed, and all
of the centennial visitors will have an
opportunity of quenching their thirst
at the first well dug in Susquehanna
county. Several great pine stumps
have been brought down from the
mountains and planted about the cabin,
and altogether its quaint and pictur-
esque appearance carries the mind cas-
lily back to those rude days swhen the
sturdy pioneer braved the dangers of
the wilderness in order to make for
himself and his children a fireside and
a home.
The success of the centennial is al
ready assured. The question now il,
how can Hallstead and her sister bor-
ough, Great Bend, take care of and
properly entertain the vast crowds
which will gather there during the
three days allotted to the great EVENT.
The Governor of Pennsylvania and his
staff will be there, and the Governor is
to address the people. Galusha A.
Grow, the best loved con of the
county, will talk to the people; Judge
McCallum will deliver the historical ad-
dress, William Walter Phelps, Con-
gressman Foran. author of "The Other
Side;" Judge Williams, probably the
next Supreme Judge of the State; G.
@. Carpenter, Ex-Governor of Iowa, all
natives of Susquehanna county, and
many other distinguished gentlemen
will lend their presence to the occasion
and help to make it grand success.
An old and wellknown character in the
county will give an hour of interesting
personal "reminiscences concerning the
earlier days. A poem will be prepar-
ed by a distinguished poet. A rem
nant of the Tuscarora Indians, now
living on reservation in New York
will plant their picturesque wigwsms
near the famous three apple trees on
the banks over the river where their
forefathers held their great councils,
discussing and deciding questions of
great moment to the tribe whose vii.
lage was near by and the remains of
whose cemetery can still be seen.
A large exhibition building will be
fitted up, in which everything of an
tiquity relating to the county and
many things whicn will prove by con-
trast its remarkable growth and prog
ress, will be exposed to the public view.
Games, races and sports of all kinds
will be carefully arranged for the
amusement of the people, and the
illumination of old Manatewana and
the display of fireworks will be worthy
of the great event. Hallstead has q
grave responsibility. She certainly
has made splendid start. May she
continue worthy to the finish, with the
enthusiastic support Of the entire
county.
The Pump Snake.